Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for US Users

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Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for US Users

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Google Maps has implemented a change for its users within the United States, displaying Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” This update, which began rolling out on August 29, 2026, or August 30, 2026, aligns with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The order directs federal agencies to adopt the new name in US maps, documents, and databases.

The renaming of Lake Ontario is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to change geographical designations, which also included renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” in January 2025. President Trump stated that the renaming of Lake Ontario was in recognition of its importance to the U.S. economy.

While Google Maps has updated its display for US users, users in Canada will continue to see the body of water as Lake Ontario. For users outside the United States and Canada, Google Maps will display both names, with “Lake America” appearing in brackets. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected the renaming, emphasizing that the lake’s name originates from the Indigenous Wendat people and predates both the Canadian Confederation and the US Declaration of Independence. Other mapping services, such as MapQuest, have stated they will not adopt the name change.

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